Learning Programme Quality Assessment Tool

The Learning Programme Quality Tool involves direct observation by an assessor, in the classroom for a minimum of two hours. It should take place when the following can be observed:

• free choice, small-group activities like indoor playtime
• at least one large-group activity e.g. morning ring, story or music time
  
  

The tool can be administered digitally or using a paper based questionnaire.

This tool is useful for anyone wanting to reliably measure the quality of early learning programmes, such as ECD organisations, researchers and M&E specialists. The tool can be used to monitor programme implementation and to identify and support the strengths of a programme and address weaknesses.

The ELOM LPQA requires direct observation in the classroom (including reference to records) for a minimum of two hours at a time of day that free choice or small group activities (indoor playtime) and at least one large group activity (morning ring, story or music time) can be observed. This is in line with all well-known quality tools.

The tool is for use with group learning programmes delivered directly to children aged 3 to 5 years. It is not suitable for use in programmes where the parent mediates the early learning experience. It focuses only on the direct implementation of the learning programme/curriculum activities and not on other important aspects of service quality such as compliance with local regulations, parent involvement, nutrition, support and referrals provided to children, and overall programme leadership and management.

Each item is scored on a scale of 0 (inadequate), 1 (basic) or 2 (good) to provide some range of scores, but also to take into account that more nuanced and extended scales require experienced and well-qualified ECD assessors. Scores on all items in each subscale are summed to derive a Total Subscale Score. Five subscale total scores can thus be derived. These are the most important scores in the LPQ as they show the strengths and weaknesses of the programme and are of assistance when providing guidance for improvement. The subscale total scores are then summed to derive the total programme quality score.

Training is strongly advised for all users, but particularly for those who are not experienced ECD assessors, to reduce subjective interpretation and ensure sound inter-rater reliability. A training manual is available. No formal accreditation is needed.

Costs depend on the amount of support required from the DataDrive2030 team and a cost estimate is provided once a request is received. We aim to keep the costs as low as possible and to subsidise costs for smaller non-profit organisations to enable their use of the tools.

This tool is available in all of South Africa’s 11 official languages.